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Pyrite is routinely mistaken for gold by the
uninitiated, but it cannot be smelted like gold -- it is truly a
rock and not a metal. It is an opaque stone with a shiny, brassy
yellow color and a beautiful luster. It forms in a variety of
crystal shapes, including cubes, octahedrons, and dodecahedrons with
pentagonal faces. Pyrite's various forms can
be found worldwide.
Among the dwarves, pyrite is nicknamed "gnome
gold," and, among the gnomes, pyrite is nicknamed "dwarf gold." The
origin of this peculiar twinning has something to do with an
incident between an Aledotter gnome and a Mithrenek dwarf, but the
gnomes and the dwarves tell the story differently, each group
casting it to put their own people in the best possible light.
Interestingly, due to the twinned stories, both Aledotter gnomes and
Mithrenek dwarves both now consider a gift of pyrite to be an
appropriate gift to someone who plays a particularly good practical
joke on someone else. Clerics of Cholen suggest that both stories
are true and that their chosen Arkati had something to do with the
matter.
Pyrite possesses a magical affinity for the
element of earth, but its affinity is so faint that few people
beyond their apprenticeships bother to use it.
Plates of polished pyrite have been found in old Inca caves, and although assumed by some to be mirrors, these
plates may have been used for their mystical powers.
Because of its golden sparkle, pyrite was sometimes mistaken
for gold by inexperienced prospectors causing it to become known as "fool's gold" around 1872.
There are other shiny brassy yellow minerals, but pyrite is by far
the most common and the most often mistaken for gold. Whether
it is the golden look or something else, pyrite is a favorite among
rock collectors. It can have a beautiful luster and
interesting crystals. It is so common in the earth's crust
that it is found in almost every possible environment, hence it has
a vast number of forms and varieties.
Pyrite is thought to be a very
protective stone, helping to ward off negative vibrations on the physical and emotional levels. Simply having a piece
of pyrite in one's possession can shield one from physical danger. Thought to
symbolize the warmth and lasting presence of the sun, this stone encourages the recall of warm and happy memories of love and friendship.
Pyrite is believed to promote the
discovery of hidden talents and to be a useful stone for those who are indecisive. The stone has been helpful in treating bronchitis,
disorders of the lungs, tonsillitis and influenza as well as in reducing fevers and inflammation. |
